Minority MPs on Tuesday February 7 abstained from casting their ballots on the nomination of Otiko Afisa Djaba as Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister-designate.
This decision followed a ruling by the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye, that a vote be taken to decide on the nomination of Ms Djaba.
The Minority was adamant that okaying her nomination would constitute a violation of the constitution after she confessed to failing to do her national service.
Speaking in an interview with the press whilst voting was underway, the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga said: “This is not a walkout. If you have observed, members of the minority are not voting. We are in there, but we are not voting.
“The minority raised the issue about the nominee not having done her national service. I am told she has received a waiver, but the evidence of the waiver hasn’t been provided. So on the basis of that, the minority thinks that there is an issue. It is an illegality in the first place to proceed with her issue, therefore the House should have stayed the process of processing her for final appointment so that those issues can be attended to.”
Source: Ghana/AccraFM.com
